Crime Stoppers: Scamming Convenience Stores

So often, our featured crimes are the result of armed suspects, especially when we talk about robbing convenience stores. This woman and her accomplices are using the gift of gab to confuse and distract. We have reward cash ready if you can help us stifle their chatter.

At the end of last week, you might say 'strange things were afoot at the Circle-K'... in this case, though, it was a Kangaroo convenience store. Still images from surveillance video show three women enter the shop on signal mountain road. We have pictures of two.

It was the middle of the day and there were no guns involved. Officer Frazer explained how they run their scam. "They confuse the clerk and do little bit of sleight of hand and get a $500 amount added to a prepaid card," he said.

The crime seems to hinge on overwhelming the clerk. "These guys are busy," Frazer continued. "These are hard-working individuals, there's a lot of traffic coming in and out of the stores. So, a lot of times the crimes of this nature don't get noticed until they close out their till and they realize they're $500 short."

Detectives say one of the women hit another store on Ashland Terrace, the next day. And in that instance, she was working solo. "It's a little scary," Frazer said. "It reminds me a little bit of when Harry Anderson used to appear on Cheers and befuddle Woody behind the bar and get him to change out cash . But, it's that kind of situation. It's a scam."

As always, there is up to $1,000 reward waiting for that right bit of information. " The interesting part about this is there's no mask involved," Frazer added. "She's not trying to hide her Identity. I don't know if she's thinking that she's just going to get away with it or what but you'll see the videos really clear somebody obviously knows this woman so we'll solve this one."

Hopefully, you have already recognized one or both of these women. If that is the case, you could be just a few steps away from a reward. All you need is the number: 698-3333

If you get voice mail, leave a way for Officer Frazer to get back with you. He will have questions, but he will never ask who you are.